Abstract/Summary

Nearly continuous data collected using novel methods are utilized to advance the understanding of turbulence and suspended particulate matter (SPM) dynamics under strong tidal flow conditions. Key instrumentation includes a single acoustic current profiler that provides nearly continuous, concurrent turbulence and SPM information with respect to depth near the seafloor and within the water column. Observations show a lag of about 1 hour in turbulence production between the bottom and 12 meters above the bottom (mab), and of about 1.5 hours for SPM. Estimates of eddy viscosity show values ranging between 10−3 and 10−2 m2 s−1, with an almost constant mean value of 3.5 × 10−3 m2 s−1 within the bottom 7 meters. The present observations and a previously reported theory show good agreement in both amplitude and phase for SPM and turbulence, when values of eddy viscosity ranging between 3.5 × 10−3 (mean) and 10−2 (maximum) are used. Our data set is valuable for evaluating, developing, and improving turbulence and SPM numerical models.